Fur-stretcher



' J. H. SP RAGUE. FUR STRETCHER. APPLICATION FILED MAY 5,1920.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

III I PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES H. SPRAGUE, OF RIO BLANCO, COLORADO.

FUR-STRETCHER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 15, 1921.

Application filed May 5, 1920. Serial No. 379,034.

T all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JAMES. H. Smmeona citizen of the United States, residing at Rio Blanco, in the county of Rio Blanco and State of Colorado, have invented certainnew and useful Improvements in Fur- Stretchers, of Whi-chthe following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to certain improvements in fur stretchers and has relation more particularly to a device of this general character especially designed and adapted for use in connection with cased hides, and it is an object of the invention to provide a novel and improved device of this general character of an eXpa-nsible type and wherein means are provided for effectively locking the device in its various adjustments as occasioned by the necessities of practice.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my 1mproved fur stretcher, whereby certain 1mportant advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a view in elevation of a fur stretcher constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the stretcher as herein embodied, the section being taken substantially on the line 22 of Flg. 1;

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken substantially on the line 44 of Fig. 2.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawings 1 denotes an elongated rod preferably metallic and with which is adjustably engaged the slides S and S. The slideS comprises a flat metallic plate 2 provided at one end portion with the loop 3 through which the rod is slidably engaged and ad acent its opposite end portion with the transversely spaced lugs or brackets 4t. Pivotally engaged between the lugs or brackets 4 is a cam 5 having its working face 6 serrated so that said cam will have effective locking engagement with the rod 1 to hold the slide S against movement longitudinally of the rod and in a desired position thereon. The cam 5 is also provided with the tail piece or handle 7 in order to facilitate the moving of said cam into either working or inoperative position.

Extending laterally in opposite directions from the slide S and pivotally engaged therewith, as at 8, substantially midway of the slide S are the rigid arms or links 9. The inner end portion of the slide S or more particularly the plate 2 thereof has pivotally engaged therewith, as at 10, the inner: end portions of the oppositely directed rigid arms or links 11, said arms or links 11 being substantially at right angles to the arms or links 9.

The slide S also comprises a plate 12 provided adjacent its inner end portion with the loop 14 through which the rod is loosely disposed and the opposite end portion of the plate is provided with the transversely spaced lugs or brackets 15 between which is pivotally engaged the cam 16 provided with a serrated periphery and which cam is adapted to have a gripping action upon the rod 1 to hold the slide S in desired position longitudinally of the rod. The cam 16 is also provided with an operating tail or handle 17.

Substantially midway thereof, the plate 12 has pivotally engaged with the side mar ginal portions thereof the rigid links or arms 18 and the outer ends of said arms or links 18 are also pivotally engaged, as at 18, with the elongatedand substantially rigid members or arms 20 at a slight distance inwardly of the adjacent ends of said rigid members or arms 20. The opposite end por-- tions of said arms 20 are pivotally engaged. as at 20, with the outer or free extremities of the arms or links 11, hereinbefore referred to. The arms or links 18 serve as braces to hold said arms 20 out against the fur to be stretched when my improved device is in applied position. Pivotally engaged with each of the arms 20 and preferably at the pivotal connection 18 is a substantially rigid arm or link 21. The opposite end portion of said link or arm 21 is provided with an angularly disposed lug or foot 22 provided with an opening 23 through which opening the rod 1 is loosely disposed. The lugs or feet 22 are engaged with the rod 1 outwardly of the slide S.

Pivotally engaged with the outer end portions of each of the links or arms 9 is an end portion of an elongated and substantially rigid member or arm 19. The opposite end portions of the arms 19 are pivotally engaged, as at 24, with the rod 1 at a point outwardly of the feet 22 of the arms or links 21. I

Aftermy improved stretcher has been properly inserted within a cased hide, the slides S or S are properly adjusted longitudinally of the rod 1 to cause the members or arms 19-and 20 to properly engage the hide whereupon said slides will lock against movement; My improved stretcher can be employed in connection with hides of different sizes. By forcing the slide S inwardly of the rod 1, the stretcher can be contracted for an effective use in connection with small furs, such as mink. The arrangement shown in the accompanying drawing is particularly adapted for use in connection with coyote furs. By removing the pivotal connection 18, the stretcher can be effectively employed in connection with the furs of foxes, skunks, or the like.

It is also to be particularly noted at this time that the rod 1 is angular in cross section so that the slides S and S are maintained against rotary movement around said rod 1.

From the foregoing description, it is thought to be obvious that a fur stretcher constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility withwhich it may be assembled and operated,

and it will also be obvious that my invention is susceptible of some change and modification without'departing from the principles and spirit thereof, and for this reason I do not wish' to be understood as limiting my self to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shown in carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed.

I claim 1. In a stretcher of the class described a central elongated rod, a plurality of longitudinal rods associated with said elongated rod and arrangedin pairs in intersecting planes and means connecting said elongated rod and said longitudinally extending rods for independently adjustingtheends of said longitudinally extending rods withrelation to said central elongated rod.

2. In a stretcher of theclass described, an elongated rod, a pair of spaced slides mounted upon said rodadjacent the ends thereof for longitudinal movement thereon and independently adjustable .with relation thereto, means for independently locking said slides in an adjusted position, a'pair of opposed elongated members arranged upon opposite sides of said rod and pivotally connected with said rod adjacent one end thereof, links connecting the free ends of said rods with the slide arranged adjacent the opposite end of saidv rod, a second pair of opposed elongated members associated with said elongated rod and disposed in a plane at right angles to .the plane of the first'mentioned arms, links pivotally connected with one of said slidesand with the adjacent ends of said last mentioned elongated members, and links plvotally connected with the other oi said slides and with the last mentioned elongated members adjacent the opposite .JAMES 1i, SPRAGUE. 

